Saluting Needham’s Purple Heart Honorees

August 9, 2024
• In recognition of Purple Heart Day, Needham’s Veterans of Foreign Wars held a ceremony at Memorial Park Wednesday.

Needham is home to at least 88 Purple Heart recipients who served from World War I through the Vietnam War. Purple Heart Day, celebrated Aug. 7, is dedicated to honoring those who were injured and made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.

The Purple Heart is the country’s longest-running military honor, dating back to the Continental Army and then-General George Washington, whose profile appears on the medal itself. That history, tied with the intention behind the medal, makes it “the most valued and revered medal that our country has,” American Legion Post 14 Commander Matthew Ching said.

“You hear so many of these names — Concannon, Hunt, Hasenfus, Borrelli — and I think back to growing up in town and coming home and going to VFW and hearing all these names and knowing some of their families,” Ching said. “It resonates true that we’re still here today to honor their memories and their sacrifice.”

The Purple Heart is awarded to U.S. military service members who sustained injuries in combat with an enemy and those who died in action. Needham has been a designated Purple Heart Community since 2015, when the Select Board issued a proclamation.

Following an invocation from Post 2498 Chaplain Tom Keating, Needham Firefighter and U.S. Marine Jon Yule raised a special Purple Heart flag while local police and other personnel stood in salute. The flag will fly through Saturday.

“Lord, we remember the ones who risked their lives for their country and those who returned to us, some healed, others healing even now, and those who sacrificed their lives and now abide with you,” Keating said. “Their willingness to hazard themselves, and the scars that some still bear, serve as testament to their courage and their sense of duty to America.”

Attendees bowed and veterans removed their caps for the reading of Needham’s honorees. Thomas Concannon read aloud his great grandfather’s name, Korean War veteran Joseph Concannon, and Needham veteran Paul Hunt shared the name of his late uncle, World War II Army veteran William Hunt.

Charles Sahagian listened as his own name was listed at the ceremony. Sahagian, a U.S. Army veteran, saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge, a pivotal military operation in Germany during World War II in which several of his squad members died.

During the battle, Sahagian’s hand was stabbed, and he was later pulled off the lines after his hands and feet froze. He was hospitalized and returned to the United States a year later, becoming a physicist and eventually moving to Needham.

He recalled learning he had earned the Purple Heart after his honorable discharge in February 1946.

“When you see generals, it’s either good or bad,” Sahagian said. “I didn’t know which one it was going to be… and he came and pinned the Purple Heart on me at that time. That’s the first time I knew.”

While she hopes for a day when “there’s no more need for Purple Hearts,” Select Board member Marianne Cooley expressed her gratitude for those “who defended America and the freedom we so value.”

“I know that all families grieve and worry and provide support to their members who are employed in the service,” Cooley continued. “Likewise, our community grieves and worries and provides support to those members. That’s part of what we’re doing today.”

Post 2498 Commander Gene Charny reflected on the medal and its significance among all military service members.

“I served in Vietnam as a combat infantryman. No one I served with wanted to win the Purple Heart, and no one I knew ever wanted to win the Purple Heart. That meant pain,” Charny said. “Nonetheless, we all revered and honored those who we know who did.”